Talking Jiu Jitsu with 6 & 8 Year Olds

The short discussion below started when my youngest (Son #3) saw me gathering my Jiu Jitsu Gi and other clothes to take to the washing machine. Son #3: “Daddy? Why is Jiu Jitsu important?” Son #2: “It isn’t important.” Me: “Yes son. It is.” Sons 2&3: “Why?” Me: “Well. You know how I used to have a big belly, then trained in the garage and house to get in better shape? Sons 2&3: both smiling “Yes” Me: “Jiu Jitsu helps push me to another level of fitness for my mind and body, and more importantly, if I am used to defending myself or attacking and training with others as training partners on the same team then I’m much more comfortable if a bad guy wants to come after me.”. “It also helps reinforce that there is always someone stronger, faster, or more skilled, so we all have to do our best to avoid fights. Learning how to fight is a good way because we are more familiar

with how hurt you can get.” Son #2: “To me it is important and it isn’t important” …” It isn’t because you don’t have to train Jiu Jitsu and you can train other things like kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, or something” Me” “Yes, you can train whatever you want.” Son #2: “It is important to me because it helps make you stronger and better to protect us.” It was great to hear my almost 8-year-old son’s (Son #2) logic after I talked to him about why I get so much value from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

For those of us that roll, we get it. For those that don’t I really encourage you to take an intro class. You will be “level set” in life as to what you can really do if someone’s body weight, power or different techniques are coming at you. Believe me when I say that unless you are already on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu path or have a history of wrestling or real fighting, you will be in for a welcome awakening. I say welcome because unless you let your ego get in the way, you will begin to experience mental and physical growth on the mat and in the outside world.

After a good roll where you’ve submitted another human or a class where you are constantly the anvil instead of the hammer, suddenly the lack of creamer in the office break room isn’t such a big deal. Struggle in life is all about perspective and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will not doubt help shape a new perspective for you.

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Published by Kevin Pannell

I'm a 44 year old married father of three boys and live in Virginia. Since 1994 I've earned experience in military medicine, information technology, public safety, project and incident management. I hope to pay forward the knowledge, skills and abilities I've earned and that others have helped me obtain. Thank you for finding and listening to this podcast.
Godspeed,
Kevin
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